If the sincerest form of flattery is imitation, then J.P. Arencibia has to be feeling good about his ability to mimic.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia hams it up while stretching at the team's spring training facility in Dunedin, Fla.

Published on Thu Mar 22 2012

If the sincerest form of flattery is imitation, then J.P. Arencibia has to be feeling good about his ability to mimic.

The Blue Jays catcher's impersonation of ESPN broadcaster Tim Kurkjian earlier this month has spawned a small cottage industry of Kurkjian wannabes, with players around spring training sites getting their high-pitched jibes in.

Arencibia's fame with mimicry arrived when former Red Sox manager turned ESPN broadcaster Terry Francona was looking for Kurkjian at the Jays' spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla., and arranged the spoof.

While Arencibia imparts his falsetto tones -- with Francona unable to keep a straight face -- Kurkjian is seen off camera, shaking his head.

“What am I, 12-years-old?” he asks after the impersonation.

"I know I am," Francona replies.

Since then, a number of other players have also stepped forward with their best attempts at impersonating the ESPN broadcaster, including Tampa's Eliot Johnson, Milwaukee's Tim Dillard, and Red Sox prospect Pete Ruiz.

Francona did get his comeuppance the day after the Arencibia bit when Kurkjian gets former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon to mock his former manager.

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.